Elements

In my youth I weathered a lot of storms. I stood firm and fast in the eye too many times. It happened so often that the storm became part of me. I needed to be blinded by lightning... deafened by thunder... pelted by rain... I needed the wind to tear at me.

And so when I became the master of my own world. I brought the storms on myself. I sought them out. I was.... comfortable in my familiar element.

I needed the assurance that came with weathering a storm. Over and over again I subconsciously sought the turbulent air. No matter how hard I shivered or how much the rain stung my skin I could hear myself whisper... I can do this.

And I could... But I shouldn't have. I just didn't consider the toll. For I time I thought the storms would only serve to temper me...and they did but they also exacted a price. Now that Ive found shelter from the storm I've realized that they've left me feeling haggard and tired before my time.

How do you step back into the fray... ready to battle the elements? How do you know when its time to come in out of the rain?